25 October 2012

Arrest in Church Shooting; Suspect Has Violent History, Mental Issues

PHOTO: AJC

The suspect in the fatal shooting at anti-gay Pastor Creflo Dollar's megachurch in suburban Atlanta has been apprehended. Floyd Palmer faces multiple charges after the shooting at World Changers Church International and waived his first court hearing this morning, reports NBC 11.

Palmer has been charged with homicide murder, felony murder, aggravated assault murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony. While he did not appear Thursday morning, family members of shooting victim Greg McDowell did make it to court. His mother broke down sobbing while waiting to go inside. She kept saying, "My baby, my baby, he's dead, he's dead."

Her son, a 39-year-old father of two, was leading prayer during a Bible study in the World Changers' chapel when police said he was shot at point-blank range. Congregants said they recognized Palmer as the shooter right away. The 51 year old used to work at the church and resigned in August.

Palmer apparently tried to turn himself in at a police substation at Lennox Square Mall ... but officers didn't know who he was. Atlanta Police Department officers and United States Marshals later took him into custody at a nearby Starbucks, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The suspect has a violent history and a criminal record including previous charges of attempted murder, adds AJC.

In 2001, while living in Baltimore, Maryland, Circuit Court records show Palmer was arrested and charged with attempted murder, assault and two gun charges. In 2004, the more serious charges were dropped when Palmer pleaded guilty to second degree assault and carrying a handgun.

There is no acknowledged motive for the shooting. Authorities have not released details on the murder weapon and how it was purchased. World Changers also has not confirmed if they conducted a background check on Palmer prior to employment.

Pastor Creflo Dollar addressed his congregation over the shooting in the church's regular Wednesday night service, according to AJC and WSB-TV.